The workers of the Panama Customs Precincts and the Colon Free Zone have suspended work since December 6th and could extend the strike for at least one more day.
The strike carried out by officials of the National Customs Authority (ANA) began on December 6th, claiming the payment of a Christmas bonus, salary adjustments and the permanence of temporary workers.
In Panama complaints have been made that "industrial companies that import raw materials to produce food have been unjustly blocked because they do not have health permits in place, which is due to the process and the times involved in their renewal."
In response to the technical audits carried out by the Food Safety and Customs authorities, industrial companies denounced the blocking of several food importing companies.In a statement, the Trade Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP) indicated that "... the lack of institutional coordination and limited resources of public bodies are making it impossible for us to export and be competitive. We have the AUPSA which is 'very complacent' with the import process; while with the permits and procedures for the local and international market, it is the opposite case".
Panamanian producers report that every week between 5 thousand and 7 thousand hundredweight of tomatoes enter the country illegally from Costa Rica, in addition to other agricultural products.
Producers in the province of Chiriquí claim that smuggling from the neighboring country is not limited to agricultural products, but also occurs with materials for production.
The National Customs Authority has announced that it is now operating a system to grant re-export certificates electronically.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
The issuing of electronic export certificates as the ideal document to certify the origin of goods was launched by the National Customs Authority (ANA), allowing users to maintain the tariff preferences negotiated in international trade agreements.
From October 20 a decree will be in effect which integrates into a single document the national legislation and the Uniform Central American Customs Code, necessary for Panama's full integration into the block.
The Director General of Customs, Jose Gomez Nunez, told Capital.com.pa that"... the institution is prepared for the implementation of Cabinet Decree No.
Companies that are certified as AEOs are able to reduce paperwork and are given priority at customs offices.
Like Costa Rica and Guatemala, Panama is now using the AEO program. Companies interested in obtaining certification should contact the National Customs Authority.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
A program to certify private sector companies dedicated to foreign trade and which is regulated by customs rules was launched on Wednesday by the Government of the Republic of Panama, through the National Customs Authority (ANA).
The Customs Authority will be launching a tender this year to purchase a computer system that supports the current volume of transactions handled by the entity.
The National Customs Authority (ANA) announced that it is preparing the tender conditions for the acquisition of a new IT platform for customs offices, which will be published shortly on the PanamaCompra website, reported Panamaamerica.com.pa.
The union has exhausted dialogue with the regional government of Chiriqui and is a blockading the border preventing the movement of freight carriers in Central America.
The provincial government in Chiriqui has failed to prevent Panamanian carriers, organized by the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation in Panama, (Canatraca) from indefinitely blocking the passage of trucks across the border in Paso Canoas (information at time of going to press at 3:30 p.m).
An announcement has been made that as of May 4 customs settlements will be paid through Internet banking.
In order to start implementing this system, transactions will be made through the National Bank of Panama, and later the Caja de Ahorros will be incorporated and finally the private banks will be included.
Prensa.com reported that "... On Tuesday April 28 a meeting is planned between the Customs Authority and the National Bank of Panama to finalize the technical details of this measure. "
A bill has been presented which incorporates the concept of customs fraud and smuggling into the Penal Code and establishes penalties from 5-12 years in prison.
The bill provides various prison terms ranging from 5 to 12 years. Porcell explained that these concepts will be incorporated into the Penal Code and that predicates to money laundering will also be considered as an offence.
A Draft law will adapt the rules for administrative procedures and customs penalties in the light of the country's integration into SIECA.
After joining the Economic Integration Subsystem (SIECA), Panama must adjust and update its customs procedures to respond more effectively to the demands of the block and international trade.
The director of the National Customs Authority (ANA), Jose Gomez, told Panamaamerica.com.pa that "...
Costa Rican customs offices do not have enough staff to handle the flow of cargo from Panama to the rest of Central America.
While on the Panamanian side there are about 25 people to process documents from carriers, on the Costa Rican side there are only 5 staff members to carry out these duties.
The situation occurs at a time when "the international freight activity going from Paso Canoas to Central America has increased by 50 % ...
With a $16.9 million bid, the consortium McMillan, Ebco and Nuctech have been awarded the contract for the operation and maintenance of scanners in ports and customs offices.
"... Consorcio Cotecna and SGS Panama Control Services, each filed complaints with the Public Procurement Directorate, but these were rejected", reported Prensa.com.
In the bidding conducted by the National Customs Authority SGS offered $7.2 million and Cotecna $15.7 million. The specifications stated that the financial offer had a weighting of 30% and the technical evaluation 70%.
From the October 3 frequent interruptions in the Integrated Customs Management System have paralyzed imports and exports.
The Integrated Customs Management System (known as Siga) was installed in 2011 replacing the Integrated Foreign Trade System (known as Sice) and its value was $20 million. The change aimed to facilitate electronic information exchange among participants of trade, government institutions and the National Customs Authority (ANA).
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